Community leaders and citizens speaking at the Hurley Sidewalk Press Conference will give voice to economic, environmental and health impacts which would emerge from taconite mining in the Penokee Hills of Northern Wisconsin. The topics all center on preserving clean, drinkable water now and into the future.

After the press conference, those in attendance will walk to the American Legion Memorial Building at 201 Iron Street where a 6:00 public hearing is scheduled on the Iron County Metallic Mining Ordinance which Iron County Zoning Administrator, Tom Bergman and his staff have been diligently working on.

The walk is a peaceful event and is not intended to interrupt or delay the ordinance meeting in any way.

Press Conference sponsor: PHEP. The Penokee Hills Education Project was formed to educate the public about risks to the Bad River watershed and the Penokee Hills posed by GTAC’s mountaintop removal mine; to share relevant information about the impact of mining on our economy, health, and environment; and to connect with citizen-led groups locally, statewide, and nationally.

Ashland County believes that Iron County deserves the same protection as us. We support Iron County residents in adopting Ashland County ordinances, not only because they are strong and fair, but Iron County may have the ore but Ashland has the water. We must consider ourselves one big county and do what is best for all of us.

PLEASE JOIN US in standing UNITED IN DEFENSE OF THE WATER. Add your email to the growing coalition of concerned citizens who are taking action to protect Lake Superior and all the waters of Wisconsin and the world.